The Kenya Red Cross Society has called on more Kwale residents to register as volunteers with the humanitarian aid organization to enable it to effectively deal with emergencies in the county.
The Organization’s County Coordinator, Mohamed Said said currently there are only 300 volunteers against a population of 800,000 which makes it difficult for the county to cope with emergencies.
“Volunteerism is an important component of our organization hence the appeal to locals to register and work selflessly with us,” he said adding that volunteers play a critical role in dealing with emergencies.
Mohammed was speaking during the county grassroots first aid competitions sponsored and hosted by Base Titanium Mining Company in collaboration with Red Cross. Thirty teams from schools, colleges and corporates participated in the event.
He said with support from partners, including the mining firm, they are undertaking training of community members and students in basic first aid skills to enhance public safety when calamities strike in the region.
“The training of students is crucial as those with first aid skills act as the first responders during emergencies in schools such as fire accidents which have become very common,” the coordinator said.
At the same time, Mohamed said their organization had jointly with other stakeholders among them the South Coast Residents Association, formed a sea rescue team to manage public safety, search and rescue missions along the coastline following a spate of water related accidents.
The team comprises 16 life savers employed by the county government, a move that is credited with the reduction of fatalities in sea accidents in the region.
By James Muchai
